There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy and the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.

People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things: the pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine and the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend (hurt) many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation. It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors. The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.

Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections, no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. These should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly about themselves and others. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact(接触) with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.

1.People who are unhappy _______.

A. always consider things differently from others

B. usually misunderstand what others think or say

C. always discover the unpleasant side of certain things

D. usually are affected by the results of certain things

2.The phrase “sour the pleasure of society” in the first paragraph most nearly means “_______”.

A. make others unhappy                               

B. tend to scold others openly

C. have a good taste with social life                 

D. enjoy the pleasure of life

3.We can conclude from the passage that _______.

A. we should pity all such unhappy people

B. people can get rid of the habit of unhappiness

C. such unhappy people are dangerous to social life

D. unhappy people can not understand happy persons

4.In this passage, the writer mainly _______.

A. describes two types of people

B. laughs at the unhappy people

C. tells people how to be happy in life

D. suggests the unhappy people should get rid of the habits of unhappiness

 

In England three foreign gentlemen came to a bus stop. They studied the information on the post sign and decided which bus to take. About five minutes later the bus they wanted came along. They prepared to get on. Suddenly people rushed onto the bus and tried to push them out of the way. Someone shouted insulting remarks about the foreigners. The bus conductor   came rushing down the stairs to see what all the trouble was about. The three foreign gentlemen looked puzzled and ashamed. No one had told them about the British custom of lining up for a bus so that the first person who arrived at a bus-stop is the first person to get on the bus.

Learning the language of a country isn’t enough. If you want to ensure a pleasant visit, find out as much as possible about the manners and customs of your hosts. You will probably be surprised just how different they can be from your own. A visitor to India would do well to remember that people there consider it impolite to use the left hand for passing food at table. The left hand is supposed to be used for washing yourself. Also in India, you might see a man apparently(显然地)shaking his head at another and assume (认为) that he is disagreeing. But in many parts of India a rotating (旋转) movement of the head is a gesture that express agreement or acceptance. Nodding your head when offered a drink in Bulgaria is likely to leave you thirsty. In that country you shake your head to express “yes” — a nod means “no”.

In Europe it is quite usual to cross your legs when sitting talking to someone, even at an important meeting. Doing this when meeting an important person in Thailand, however, could cause offence (冒犯). It is considered too informal an attitude for such an occasion. Also when in Thailand avoid touching the head of an adult — it’s just not done.

Attitudes to women vary considerably(相当地)around the world. In Japan, for example, it is quite usual for men to plan evening entertainments for themselves and leave their wives at home.

Knowing about customs and attitudes is useful when you are travelling, but you also need to know the language used to express different degrees of formality (礼节).

1.The three foreign gentlemen looked puzzled and ashamed because __________________.

A.they didn’t know the English language

B.someone called their names

C.they didn’t know the custom of lining up for a bus

D.they knocked someone down while getting on the bus

2. According to the passage, which attitude to women is usual in Japan?

A.Men always go to parties with women.

B.Men plan evening entertainments for their wives.

C.Men and women have equal rights to go to parties.

D.Men plan evening entertainments for themselves, while their wives stay home.

3.What’s the meaning of the underlined word “insulting” in Para. 1 ?

A.善意的

B.咨询的

C.商量的

D.无礼的

4. From the passage, we know that shaking head means Yes in ______________.

A.India and Thailand

B.India and Bulgaria

C.Bulgaria and Thailand

D.Thailand and Japan

5.The underlined sentence “Nodding your head when offered a drink in Bulgaria is likely to leave you thirsty.” means ____________.

A.It’s probably that you are thirsty if you nod your head

B.You’re possibly eager to have a drink if you nod your head

C.You probably refuse to drink when you nod your head

D.You’d like to have a cup of tea because you nod your head

 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网